Austria Leads a Packed August on the EJU Tatami

Austria emerged as the leading nation across the EJU’s August 2026 programme, topping an imagined monthly medal table after a standout showing at the European Judo Championships for Uniformed Services in Birmingham. Across 14 days of activity, 874 judoka took part in competition and international training events around Europe.

The month featured three medal events and the Papendal EJU OTC, bringing together athletes from dozens of countries. In total, judoka from 33 nations won medals during the three competitions, while 21 countries collected at least one gold medal.

Austria’s Birmingham performance made the difference in the overall monthly figures. The team secured eight gold, three silver and six bronze medals at the European Judo Championships for Uniformed Services, finishing clearly ahead of Great Britain and Hungary. Great Britain claimed two gold, three silver and two bronze medals on home soil, while Hungary completed the top three with a 2-2-2 record.

Austria’s eight Birmingham gold medals powered them to the top of August’s combined standings.

The first competitive stop came at the Skopje Junior European Cup 2026 in North Macedonia, followed by the Skopje EJU Junior Training Camp 2026. A total of 317 judoka from 33 countries were involved across the five-day programme, combining tournament experience with further work on the tatami.

Germany led the Skopje European Cup medal standings with six gold, two silver and three bronze medals. Belarus followed on two gold, four silver and one bronze, while Azerbaijan took two gold medals and five bronzes. Germany’s result helped place the nation third in the overall August medal ranking, behind Austria and Latvia.

From 10 to 14 August, the Papendal EJU OTC 2026 brought 309 judoka from 35 countries to the Netherlands. There were no medals on offer at the Olympic Training Centre camp, but the five days provided a major opportunity for international randori and preparation during the summer period.

August closed in Riga with the Ne-Waza European Judo Championships Riga 2026. The event united cadet, junior and senior judoka for two days focused on the ground game, with 150 athletes from 18 countries taking part.

Latvia made home advantage count, finishing first with six gold, five silver and six bronze medals. Romania placed second with four golds and one bronze, while Poland took third after earning two gold, three silver and one bronze. Latvia’s Riga success moved the hosts into second place in the combined August table, on six gold, five silver and six bronze medals.

Four host nations and 14 days of action underlined the depth of the August EJU calendar.

The numbers show a busy month across European Judo: junior competition in Skopje, high-level training in Papendal, a strong Austrian performance in Birmingham and Ne-Waza action in Riga. Different formats, age groups and competitive targets came together in one intense stretch of continental activity.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union